Markup Languages
Published on Mar 28, 2025, filed under development. (Share this post, e.g., on Mastodon.)
You know the big MLs (markup languages): the mother of all markup languages, SGML, its famous offspring, HTML, the visionary cousin, XML, and the strict chatty grandchild, XHTML. That is, these:
| Language | Since | Definition | Articles and Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) | 1986 | SGML at WebGlossary | SGML on Frontend Dogma |
| HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) | 1991 | HTML at WebGlossary | HTML on Frontend Dogma |
| XML (Extensible Markup Language) | 1998 | XML at WebGlossary | XML on Frontend Dogma |
| XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) | 2000 | XHTML at WebGlossary | XHTML on Frontend Dogma |
But—and this takes a different path than Wikipedia on markup languages—did you also know the following “small” markup languages, that is, those calling themselves or being called “markup language,” those that have had some or almost some impact on the Web? (You’ll know at least one, part of the current HTML spec.)
| Language | Since | Definition | Articles and Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language) | 1996 | HDML at WebGlossary | HDML on Frontend Dogma |
| DHTML (Dynamic HTML) * | 1997 | DHTML at WebGlossary | DHTML on Frontend Dogma |
| MathML (Mathematical Markup Language) | 1998 | MathML at WebGlossary | MathML on Frontend Dogma |
| WML (Wireless Markup Language) | 1998 | WML at WebGlossary | WML on Frontend Dogma |
| cHTML (Compact HTML) | 1999 | cHTML at WebGlossary | cHTML on Frontend Dogma |
This excludes languages like XAML or DDML, because they are XML-based languages that weren’t designed to show content on the Web. But, if you would question or add a language, please let me know!
* Yes, not a language per se but just a term for languages already available at the time—and yet DHTML feels like it must be included in such an overview.
About Me
I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m an engineering lead, guerrilla philosopher, and indie publisher. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager at various companies (e.g., Google); I’m an active web and tool developer (code optimization, digital defense), a contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and a book author (O’Reilly, Frontend Dogma).
I love trying things—in web development and engineering management, but also in politics and philosophy, where I hold to one idea in particular: that we can only be well if we take good care of everyone. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my perspectives and experiences. (Please share feedback: Interpret charitably, keep it friendly, but do be critical.)